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Don’t expect at least one Olympic gold medalist in Washington, DC, anytime soon.
After being asked if Olympic athletes don’t accept invitations to the White House, 2026 Olympic gold medalist Amber Glenn told Us Weekly that she would decline an invitation if she was given one.
“I choose not to do it either, so I don’t blame them at all,” Glenn told the outlet. “It is our right to be able to choose what we do and what we do not support, and I believe that is a decision that each individual has the right to make.”
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Team USA’s Amber Glenn celebrates with her gold medal after the figure skating team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. US Figure Skating referred inquiries to the White House.
While the men’s hockey team visited the White House and State of the Union last month, the women’s hockey team declined President Donald Trump’s invitation, citing scheduling conflicts. Trump announced at the State of the Union, however, they will eventually visit him.
Trump’s invitation came after he sparked controversy during a phone call with the men’s team shortly after winning gold, saying he “would have” to invite the women’s team otherwise he would “probably be impeached.” The prank sparked some laughter among the men, prompting a backlash from everyone involved.
Several athletes, and apparently teams, have declined to visit Trump after winning titles dating back to his first presidency. After winning the 2018 World Series as manager of the Boston Red Sox, Alex Cora skipped a visit to the White House in 2019 to prioritize Puerto Rico, citing dissatisfaction with the federal government’s response to the devastation of Hurricane Maria. Mookie Betts also skipped that year’s celebration, but attended the Los Angeles Dodgers’ celebration last year.
Amber Glenn of the United States reacts after her performance during the short program on February 17, 2026. (REUTERS/Yara Nardi)
The Dodgers, Philadelphia Eagles, Florida Panthers, Ohio State football team, LSU baseball team and Inter Miami have visited the White House to celebrate their championships since Trump’s second term began in January 2025. It remains to be seen if the Indiana Hoosiers and Seattle Seahawks will do the same. Since no NBA team has ever visited Trump, it seems unlikely that the Oklahoma City Thunder will do so.
Last year, the Florida Gators were the first college basketball team to visit Trump since the Baylor women’s team in 2019. They are the only college basketball team to visit Trump. equipment visit Trump in any term, while every college football champion with Trump as president has visited.
Although no NBA team visited the White House during the Trump administration, the Milwaukee Bucks, Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics visited former President Joe Biden to commemorate their titles.
Gold medalist Amber Glenn of the United States poses with the medal during the medal ceremony during the final of the ISU Figure Skating Grand Prix – Grenoble at Patinoire Polesud, on December 7, 2024, in Grenoble, France. (Daniela Porcelli – International Skating Union/International Skating Union)
Trump rescinded an invitation to the Warriors’ 2017 title game after Stephen Curry said he wouldn’t make the trip. LeBron James then called Trump a “bum” and said, “Going to the White House was a great honor until you showed up!”
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